have have been battling algea... it's more than likely due to over feeding but wanted to know if someone can help me ID this algea. I am able to blow it of my rock work with a Turkey baster.. also I noticed that bubbles do appear to get trapped in the algae
algea help
- Thread starter Borgie234
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red cyanobacteria and it also has a green version. It's actually a bacteria that if left unchecked it's can take over corals and kill them.
There are several ways to fight it. It is due to excess feeding or something dead. not enough light or lack of flow. If its just starting best is vacuum it out and stay on top of water changes if you are sure flow and lights are adaquite. You can treat it with medication however it doesnt address the underlying issue.
If you feel it's due to over feeding are you running a skimmer if so are you sure it's large enough for the system. You can also do nopox (carbon dosing) that feeds benifical bacteria. Are you seeing hair algae with it?
There are several ways to fight it. It is due to excess feeding or something dead. not enough light or lack of flow. If its just starting best is vacuum it out and stay on top of water changes if you are sure flow and lights are adaquite. You can treat it with medication however it doesnt address the underlying issue.
If you feel it's due to over feeding are you running a skimmer if so are you sure it's large enough for the system. You can also do nopox (carbon dosing) that feeds benifical bacteria. Are you seeing hair algae with it?
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Borgie234
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yes hair algea is growing on the rocks, no green algae though. Iam running a skimmer 2x the size of tank. I do feel as if I could use more flow as I need to upgrade my power heads. Currently using Chinese black LEDs seems to be working for the coral I have. if you where I would you concentrate on the flow first or getting a reactor, as I can only get 1 or the other at this time?
Start with flow as you can never have enough. I would also do water tests if you don't have a kit you trust take some water to a LFS they should be able to test it for you.
That will point you in the right direction. Also what % is your lights at and what size is the tank?
That will point you in the right direction. Also what % is your lights at and what size is the tank?
mta_morrow
Of course I have room for 1 more fish!
First things first. You have to know where you are before you decide on where you are going.
You need to measure your nitrates and phosphates to start, with decent test kits.
Only then can anyone start to help you with sound advice.
Do you have test kits?
You need to measure your nitrates and phosphates to start, with decent test kits.
Only then can anyone start to help you with sound advice.
Do you have test kits?
Second what mta said however from what I read it appeared your flow was suspect. With that being said alot of your real issues with high no2 and 3 can be due to flow. When debris geta caught in the rocks and isn't being blown to the places it needs to go will will compound the groth. Flow will at least help all the way around. As it will help keep the bacteria from setting up shop to take over your corals. Your corals will love it as well.
I would suggest taking your turkey baster and blow those rocks while in the tank. That will tell you really quick if your flow is bad. You will get a ton of crap off them if you don't blow them off daily. The speed at witch the stuff moves when blown and clear up time will give you the results.
Yes I'm one of those anal keepers that blows the rock off in my tank daily.
I would suggest taking your turkey baster and blow those rocks while in the tank. That will tell you really quick if your flow is bad. You will get a ton of crap off them if you don't blow them off daily. The speed at witch the stuff moves when blown and clear up time will give you the results.
Yes I'm one of those anal keepers that blows the rock off in my tank daily.
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If it's new and the tank isn't then start by really cleaning your powerheads. They do get bogged down with gunk over time.
And REPLACE your filter pads. Some people try and skimp here and just clean then hence the caps.
And REPLACE your filter pads. Some people try and skimp here and just clean then hence the caps.
Borgie234
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I think your spot on with the flow looking at order new wavemaker now. as currently I only have 2 jebao WP-25 and it's a 180. Was looking at getting the rw 15s or 20s but Amazon says shipping will take awhile was also looking at the maxspeck grye 350. have you had any experience with them and if so are the maxspects worth the price jump?
They are worth it but I would maybe go with the 20's unless you just want to be excessive. You can wait as long as you blow the rocks off to help till they arrive. You don't need to scrub just use the baster to get the rocks flowing again. You can also do small water changes 5 gallons and vacuum after the blow off. Don't try and stir the sand bed to much I see alot of bad advice here as the bed is where you can get yourself into just as much trouble.
I would suggest that daily. It really does help in the long run till you get the flow up. Then I would still suggest it before you do water changes.
I would suggest that daily. It really does help in the long run till you get the flow up. Then I would still suggest it before you do water changes.
Borgie234
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Ill order the 20s now. I very very much appreciate the advice. How often do you suggest I change filter socks currently doing it every other day, but if that was an issue my nitrates would be up right? and how would I go about getting it out of my refuge? Currently I syphone it out but it comes right back
Fiesty
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I run 3 mp-40's in my 200 gal (4 ft x 3 ft) mix reef tank and they work great. I know expensive but just giving u an idea of what works on what tank size. I believe any stronger would be too much for my tank due to blowing sand, etc. Previous tank was a 93 gal cube and 1 mp-40 was perfect for it. Im guessing two end to end would be good for a 180.
The Nero 5 look interesting to me for slighty cheaper option but ive never even seen one in person, so cant say how well they work?
The Nero 5 look interesting to me for slighty cheaper option but ive never even seen one in person, so cant say how well they work?
Borgie234
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I actually bought the tank off of someone and they gave me a mp40 how if doesn't seem to work right as it runs loud and get really hot.. I have heard there really good but havent been convinced that they are better then the maxspects. Which would be a cheaper option to get 2. I heard the rw15 and rw20 produce plenty of water movement but just seems to last as long. I knew I need the upgrade in flow but didnt know that the algae would be a symptom.
